On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection: Or, The Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life"In considering the Origin of Species, it is quite conceivable that a naturalist, reflecting on the mutual affinities of organic beings, on their embryological relations, their geographical distribution, geological succession, and other such facts, might come to the conclusion that each species had not been independently created, but had descended, like varieties, from other species. Nevertheless, such a conclusion, even if well founded, would be unsatisfactory, until it could be shown how the innumerable species inhabiting this world have been modified, so as to acquire that perfection of structure and coadaptation which most justly excites our admiration. Naturalists continually refer to external conditions, such as climate, food, & c, as the only possible cause of variation. In one very limited sense, as we shall hereafter see, this may be true; but it is preposterous to attribute to mere external conditions, the structure, for instance, of the woodpecker, with its feet, tail, beak, and tongue, so admirably adapted to catch insects under the bark of trees. In the case of the misseltoe, which draws its nourishment from certain trees, which has seeds that must be transported by certain birds, and which has flowers with separate sexes absolutely requiring the agency of certain insects to bring pollen from one flower to the other, it is equally preposterous to account for the structure of this parasite, with its relations to several distinct organic beings, by the effects of external conditions, or of habit, or of the volition of the plant itself"--Introduction. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved) |
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Page 16
... it could be shown that the greyhound , bloodhound , terrier , spaniel , and bull - dog , which we all know propagate their kind so truly , were the offspring of any single species , then such facts would. 16 CHAP . I. VARIATION.
... it could be shown that the greyhound , bloodhound , terrier , spaniel , and bull - dog , which we all know propagate their kind so truly , were the offspring of any single species , then such facts would. 16 CHAP . I. VARIATION.
Page 17
... single species , then such facts would have great weight in making us doubt about the immutability of the many very closely allied natural species - for in- stance , of the many foxes - inhabiting different quarters of the world . I do ...
... single species , then such facts would have great weight in making us doubt about the immutability of the many very closely allied natural species - for in- stance , of the many foxes - inhabiting different quarters of the world . I do ...
Page 18
... single species alone should have been domesticated . In re- gard to sheep and goats I can form no opinion . I should think , from facts communicated to me by Mr. Blyth , on the habits , voice , and constitution , & c . , of the humped ...
... single species alone should have been domesticated . In re- gard to sheep and goats I can form no opinion . I should think , from facts communicated to me by Mr. Blyth , on the habits , voice , and constitution , & c . , of the humped ...
Page 20
... single case on record of a permanent race having been thus formed . On the Breeds of the Domestic Pigeon . - Believing that it is always best to study some special group , I have , after deliberation , taken up domestic pigeons . I have ...
... single case on record of a permanent race having been thus formed . On the Breeds of the Domestic Pigeon . - Believing that it is always best to study some special group , I have , after deliberation , taken up domestic pigeons . I have ...
Page 26
... single experiment . But to extend the hypothesis so far as to suppose that species , aboriginally as distinct as carriers , tumblers , pouters , and fantails now are , should yield offspring perfectly fertile , inter se , seems to me ...
... single experiment . But to extend the hypothesis so far as to suppose that species , aboriginally as distinct as carriers , tumblers , pouters , and fantails now are , should yield offspring perfectly fertile , inter se , seems to me ...
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Common terms and phrases
adapted affinities allied species America analogous ancient animals become bees believe birds breeds cause cells chapter characters cirripedes climate closely allied colour continuous crossed crustaceans degree difficulty distinct species divergence domestic doubt embryo Europe existing exterminated extinct extremely facts favourable Fcap fertility flowers formations forms fossil Gärtner genera genus geological geological period Glacial period greater number groups of species habits Hence hermaphrodites History hybrids hybrids produced important individuals inhabitants inherited insects instance instincts intercrossing intermediate land larvæ less living male mammals manner migration modification modified descendants natural selection naturalists nearly nest offspring perfect pigeons plants pollen Portrait Post 8vo present principle probably produced progenitor racter ranked reciprocal crosses remarked resemble rudimentary organs Second Edition seeds sexual selection Silurian slight South America sterility structure struggle successive supposed theory Third Edition tion variability variations varieties vary Vols widely Woodcuts